Norvin Hagan

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Norvin Charles Hagan of Atlanta, Georgia, announces his passing. Norvin, age 74, died unexpectedly at his home in Big Canoe on November 27, 2024, as he prepared to entertain family and friends surrounded by the north Georgia mountains he loved.

Norvin, the third of five children, was born on August 13, 1950, to Francis Paul “Frank” Hagan and Lucy Fair Hagan, both of whom he adored. The Hagan home bustled with neighborhood kids, shenanigans, and character-building lessons of hard work, loyalty, and faith. Norvin — both an Eagle Scout and an enthusiastically mischievous middle child — graduated from Marist School in 1968, where he excelled as a wrestler and earned a scholarship to wrestle at the University of Tennessee. A member of The Vols Letterman’s Club and a self-proclaimed “solid C student,” Norvin earned a degree in business administration in 1972, often reminding friends with a wink that “C students rule the world.” He remained a proud and enthusiastic War Eagle and Vol throughout his life.

After graduation, Norvin returned to Atlanta to work for First National Bank and later as a mortgage broker for Cousins Properties. He often recalled that his first two jobs taught him how to borrow money and how to sell with integrity.

In 1976, Norvin invested his meager financial means to purchase printing equipment and launch Geographics, Inc. Frequently quoting lessons from “Papa”, Norvin applied an athlete’s discipline and work ethic with his genuine affection for people to build a business with customers and employees who reflected his love and loyalty.

From humble beginnings printing business cards, Geographics grew to a commercial print and media solutions provider with a national customer base. Geographics earned “Gold” awards for decades at the annual North American Printer of the Year competitions. Norvin’s professional accolades included being inducted into the Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame, receiving the Printing and Imaging Association of Georgia (PIAG) Ben Franklin Award, and induction into the Ben Franklin Honor Society by the Printing Industries of America (PIA). Norvin held multiple officer positions in PIAG and served on the national board of the PIA. He expressly credited each of these honors to an “incredible team and very loyal customers.”

Norvin’s commitment as a commercial printer was matched by his love for great wine and the travel and friendships formed on his journey from wine enthusiast to a devoted oenophile. Those passions combined in support of The High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction where Geographics served as the longest continuous sponsor for 27 years. It is often said that no one loved the wine auction as much as Norvin. He also served on the board of directors for the High Museum of Art.

Always mindful of those who shaped his life, Norvin created the Frank P. Hagan Memorial Coaches Award at Marist School in honor of his father and to recognize coaches who instill in student-athletes the values of personal growth, excellence, sportsmanship, and teamwork.

While proud of business achievements and community impact, nothing made Norvin prouder than his two children, Kelly and Knox. He delighted in their achievements and shared photos and stories of their adventures with all he met. He looked forward with joy to Kelly’s upcoming marriage to fiancé Alex Haigh.

Norvin loved nature and was an excellent hunter but admitted he lacked patience for fishing. He loved history, travelled widely (especially to his beloved Ireland), and was an avid fiction reader. He delighted in hearing good stories as much as telling them. Norvin never met a stranger; his friendships were life-long and strong, reflecting his mantra that “you have to be a good friend to have good friends.”

The list of those who knew and loved Norvin is long, but for him, one stands out as the love of his life: his “Lizzie.” Norvin and Liz were inseparable life partners for 20 years, celebrating their love and commitment in marriage on November 23, 2019.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Warfford Hagan; daughter, Maryann Kelly Hagan; son, Knox Norvin Hagan; brothers, Francis Paul (Mitzi) Hagan and James Akers Hagan; sisters, Elizabeth Fair (Jeff) Linehan and Rosa Laurin (Buddy) Ramsey; 14 nieces and nephews; and 23 grandnieces and grandnephews.

A beloved husband, father, brother and friend, we are eternally grateful for the gift of his life.

“May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on December 12, 2024, at the Cathedral of Christ the King, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life reception at the Piedmont Driving Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to one of the following organizations with reference to the “Norvin Hagan Memorial”:

• The Frank P. Hagan Memorial Coach's Award at Marist School, 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30319, or online at www.marist.com

• The University of Tennessee “My All Fund.” giving.utk.edu/hagan

• The High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, or online at https://high.org/donate/